By Vivek Kuriyal

A place where almost everyone surprises you by calling you with your name even you come across them after days. A city which is famous for a historic incident! “Boston Tea Party” if you can recall from your history book. A destination which offers a lot in terms of modern and old heritages, Boston invites tourists from every corner of the world. The highly acclaimed television serial “Cheers” shot in the Bull & Finch Pub also brought fame to this place.

Boston Tea Party ended up giving rise to the first Continental Congress. You also come to know how the murder of five British colonists geared up the American Revolution if you explore the history of this city. Many world renowned literary legends came from Boston and its surrounding areas. Some of the names you can easily recognize: Herman Mellville, Herman Mellville and Ralph Waldo Emerson. One unique fact about the city is that it has a considerably large number of youngsters who grace the city’s bars every night. Boston Hotels welcome their guest with great hospitality.

Known as the “Bean town at the harbor” Boston is the favorite place of people who want to please their taste buds with fish and beans. For most of the tourists Boston largely resembles London. And this is not false when it comes to history and grace of the city. More than 60,000 inhabitants occupy the land of Boston which is eccentric, modern, fashionable and highly cosmopolitan. You find all sorts of modern amenities like shopping arcades, cinemas, theatres and a thrilling nightlife. Just cross the river and you come across the Harvard University at Cambridge. The capital of the state of Massachusetts, Boston comprises of several tourist spots such as capitol building with its famous gold dome.

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by Lisa Halvorsen

Although Boston's famous Freedom Trail has been a popular "Beantown" attraction since 1958, this past April a new type of tour debuted to inform visitors about the trail's many historic sites. The Freedom Trail Foundation has developed an Antenna Audio Tour that combines state-of-the-art technology with colorful commentary. Massachusetts personalities describe each of the 16 stops--Old North Church, Paul Revere's house, and the Old State House, among others--along the 2.5- mile trail, as well as spin intriguing tales about people, places, and events in Boston, including the 1950 Brinks Robbery and the Great Molasses Flood.

As an alternative to the walking tour, groups of 20 or more can book the Theater-on-Wheels, a brand-new mini coach tour of movie and TV sites that shows film clips and provides narrative on featured sites in the greater Boston area. Tours range from three hours to a full day. Groups can customize their tour by arranging for lunch, dinner, or drinks at a movie hot spot or by adding on the Fenway Tour, a behind-the scenes look at the Red Sox' home field with commentary on Field of Dreams, Fever Pitch, and other movies and TV shows filmed at the baseball stadium.

Boston By Boat recently began offering weekend ferry service from the Charlestown Shipyard, home of the USS Constitution (free tours Tuesday through Sunday), to South Boston's Seaport District with stops at key points along the waterfront including Lewis Point (Old North Church) and Christopher Columbus Park (Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, and New England Aquarium). For $10 your group can hop on and off all day. (One-way trips are $6.) Your ticket also is good for discounts on food and other purchases at designated restaurants, shops, and attractions.

The Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum, which was severely damaged by fire in 2001, is scheduled to reopen in summer 2006 after an extensive $13 million renovation. The new interpretive center will have twice the exhibit space with many new displays, living history programs, and videos about the Boston Tea Party. The showpiece of the renovated museum will be the Robinson Half Chest, named after the 15-year-old patriot who retrieved it from the water. It was acquired in January from a private collector and is one of only two known surviving tea chests from the Boston Tea Party.

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by Rosanne O'Malley


The History of Tea: Ten Major Facts

For thousands of years, in many different countries, people have been drinking tea. This drink and the manner in which it is prepared has been the focus of rituals, the basis for social conventions and even the catalyst for a revolution. Today, tea is the second most popular beverage in the world after water. How tea became so important to the world's various societies is a fascinating but lengthy story. In brief, however, the history of tea can be condensed to ten major facts.

1. According to myth, the use of tea by humans started over 5,000 years ago in China. One day, the Emperor Shen Nung, a renowned scientist and herbalist, was traveling to a distant realm when he and his courtiers stopped to rest. As his servants were boiling their drinking water, leaves from a nearby bush fell into the pot. The emperor, his curiosity piqued by the resulting brown brew, tasted it and found it to be very refreshing.

2. Prior to 1000 BC, tea was used in China for medicinal purposes. Around the time of the Tang Dynasty, people began to drink tea for pleasure.

3. In 800 AD, Lu Yu wrote the Ch'a Ching, the first definitive book concerning the growth and processing of tea leaves and the best manner in which to prepare them for drinking.

4. Tea was brought to Japan by a Buddhist monk and was originally used in religious ceremonies. It became the drink of the royal class when Emperor Saga encouraged the cultivation of the tea plant.

5. The Japanese Tea Ceremony developed over several centuries under the influence of Zen Buddhist monks. By the sixteenth century, the "Way of the Tea" as it is known today was established.

6. The first European to personally taste tea was the Portuguese Jesuit missionary, Father Jasper de Cruz in 1560.

7. Tea use spread throughout Europe, initially among the French, the Dutch and the Russian. Charles II's queen consort, the Portuguese Princess Catherine de Branganca, introduced the drink to England around 1650.

8. Peter Stuyvesant and the Dutch settler's of New Amsterdam colony introduced tea to America also around 1650. The English who later took over what came to be New York found the Dutch settlers there at the time drank more tea than all of England.

9. As every American school aged child know, the actions that took place during Boston Tea Party in 1773 were a major catalyst of the American Revolution. Revolutionaries dumped shiploads of tea into Boston Harbor in protest over England's taxing policies.

10. Anna, the Duchess of Bedford was credited with having developed the afternoon tea sometime during the early nineteenth century. Having experienced a "sinking feeling" in late afternoon, the duchess ordered her servants at Belvoir Castle to serve an additional meal around 5:00 p.m., to which she invited her friends. The custom became so popular that she continued holding afternoon teas on her return to London. Soon, other social hostesses adopted the practice.

by Lee Dobbins


In history class, we learned a great deal about the history of America. The Boston Tea Party was one major turning point that defined America as we know it today. We are strong, defiant, capable, and know what is fair and just. The British were looking for some way to recover some of the money they had lost during the war between the French and Indians some ten years earlier. In the years just prior to the Boston Tea Party, the crown had created numerous attempts to gain back control of the governments.

It started with the 1765 Stamp Act, the 1767 Townsend Acts, the 1770 Boston Massacre, and culminated with the 1773 Tea Tax. Because colonists took a stand and refused to pay any taxes, the Parliament was forced to retract all taxes and so they did, except one. You guessed it they left the Tea Tax. This was nothing more than a mere demonstration of the rights and ability Parliament felt they had to impose taxes.

It was in May of the year 1773, Parliament decided to implement a tricky little plan. An Indian Company that was struggling was given the full task of American tea importation. They then placed a reduction on the tea tax. This mean that all Americans, who absolutely loved their tea, would pay a much cheaper price for the tea. The problem for colonists; however, was the fact that while it may be cheaper, they would still be giving into Parliament and recognizing their taxes.

Parliament, who had assumed that the Americans would pay the taxes instead of giving up their tea, was in for a big surprise. A Boston Tea Party surprise. The Colonists were ready to fight, or more appropriately boycott the tea. In both New York and Philadelphia, the ships carrying the tea were not allowed to dock. However, in Charleston, they allowed the ships to dock and remove the tea; however, the tea was placed in storage for three years. The patriots sold this tea, three years later, in efforts of financing the American Revolution.

On a winter day in December of 1773, three ships arrived in Bostons ports. They attempted peaceful denial of the cargo on the dock ships, simply refusing to pay the taxes. However, when a refusal to leave met their refusal to pay, anger flared. Later in that same evening, two hundred Indian disguised men, marched to the ships. The Boston Tea Party ensued and subsequently dumped three hundred and forty two tea crates into the Boston Harbor.

The Boston Tea Party and subsequent events were ultimately responsible for the eventual American Revolution.

by Frank Johnson


Boston has traditionally stood as the beacon of New England thought, culture and historical direction, and consequently has been the major force behind the independent progress of the United States of America. Boston's well preserved colonial architecture gracing the tree lined streets or the original oak seats of Fenway Park baseball stadium add insurmountable character to the historically indispensable city. With a nickname like "the Hub of the Universe," given by Oliver Wendell Holmes, it is impossible to justify not visiting Boston to discover the inspiring source of this pseudonym!

The Cradle of More than Liberty

Boston spearheaded the fight for freedom and independence from Britain during the Revolutionary War through both thought and action. The Old South Meeting House in the city center is where colonists gathered in 1773 before disguising themselves as Native Americans and dumping British tea into the harbor to protest taxation without representation. The Meeting House is open today for tours, concerts and historical reenactments. The site of the Boston Massacre and the Battle of Bunker Hill are also nearby. While in the city center, stop by the Paul Revere House, which is notable both for being the oldest building in Boston, built in 1680, and for being the home of the legendary patriot who warned colonists of British military action.

Further strengthening its earned title as the 'Cradle of Liberty,' Bostonians were firm supporters of abolition and the Underground Railroad. Boston has long remained on the progressive edge of education and social reform, boasting a plethora of elite universities and academies that include Harvard and MIT among their ranks. For an all around journey through time, travel to Boston and take the 2.5 mile Freedom Trail, which starts in the excellent shopping area of Boston Common and continues through the city past 16 historical sites, terminating at the USS Constitution.

Up to Speed

Not only a key player in American heritage, Boston is a continually updating metropolis that helps shape the evolving modern identity of the United States. Newbury Street is Boston's ultra-chic shopping area that will bedazzle you with specialty shops, designer boutiques and private galleries. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is a stunning collection of classic works housed in a breathtaking Venetian-style palace situated about a four-story oasis-like courtyard. As Boston is the Kennedy Family hometown, the beautiful marble John F. Kennedy Museum and Library was opened here in 1979 and is considered to be one of the city's shining architectural highlights. Boston is also known for its large immigrant population. Feast on the spoils of multiculturalism and head to the North End of Boston for an authentic Italian meal, and don't forget to order the cannoli for desert!

A trip to Boston is fundamental to understanding the foundations upon which the United States of America was built. America's pastimes and ideals are firmly entrenched in the people's history of Boston and its independent and free-thinking spirit that still permeates the city's culture today. Also, when you travel to Boston, make sure to get out and explore the beautiful countryside of Massachusetts. Even nearby Boston Harbor Islands National Park has 34 islands accessible for hiking and biking.

Article Content from: 123-Character-education.com

by Scott C. Waring


BOSTON MASSACRE:

The Boston Massacre may be called the thing that started the greater event of the American independence, the Boston Tea Party. What led to this event was the general feeling of anger growing in the colonies towards the unfair tax collectors of the England. This handful of officials had taken all powers of the England upon themselves, and was collecting taxes in the name of England. These officials refused to send the money to England. Instead they kept it for themselves.

Also, there was a law called, the Stamp Act, which was famous for its bad name. The settlers had a very strong hatred towards this Act. When the colonists rose to fight, the British congress changed the Act in a letter, but kept its meaning. It made the Townshend Duties. This was a change over the earlier Stamp Act. It put tax money on all things coming into America. So, the Stamp Act had not changed.

Just when the dust seemed to have settled over the problem, the Boston Massacre happened. It changed the whole problem. It encouraged new fighting against the England, and made the way for the settlers to make an event of greater importance, the Boston Tea Party. There was some fighting against the Townshend Act, when ships carrying imported wine were taken from the ships owner. They took the ship because the owner of the ship did not want to pay taxes.

On March 5, 1770, as the people were waiting for a chance to fight, a group of boys had an argument with a single guard of at a customs house in Boston. The guards became very angry. They were led by Capt. Thomas Preston. The guards picked up their rifles and shot at the boys. In the shooting, five settlers, including a Black, were killed. Iin the trial that, the person most responsible, Capt. Preston was let go. He was defended by the brilliant lawyer, John Adams. Adams became the second president of the United States of America.

by Paul Simon


Tea has had a very rich history. It has been around for more than five thousand years. During this time it has influenced various cultures, world leaders and even a couple of wars. Tea is thought to be more than a favorite beverage. It is thought to have great healing and medicinal uses.

Tea's history began nearly five thousand years ago in Ancient China. The story of tea is thought to have begun in Early China with the Emperor Shen Nung. Shen Nung was not only the Emperor of China but also a scientist. He was said to have required that all of his drinking water be boiled as a way to cleanse it before it was consumed. His obsession with hygienic precautions lead to the discovery of tea. While on a road trip to a distant realm of China he and his caravan stopped for a rest. While the water was being boiled for the caravan dried leaves from a nearby bush fell into the water causing the water to become brown in color. The emperor tried the beverage even though it had turned brown and right away fell in love with this new found beverage, thus the world obsession with tea was born.

Tea quickly spread to all aspects of the Chinese culture. By 800 A.D the first book of tea was written by Lu Yu, Ch'a Ching. The Ch'a Ching, detailed the cultivation and different uses for the tea bush. It is said to have been the beginning of the Zen Buddhist form of tea service. As tea became part of the religious culture it lead the way for the introduction of tea to other parts of the world. Tea was first introduced to Japan by the Buddhist Priest Yeisei. He saw the value that tea possessed in enhancing his religious meditation. Because of this religious influence tea was accepted by not only the imperial and royal courts but also other parts of Japanese society.

The introduction of tea in Japan lead to it becoming an art form. Tea in the Japanese culture became more than just a beverage. An art to tea service was created here. Special buildings were erected to be used to perform this elaborate and deeply religious ceremony. Years of training were required to perform this special tea service. In fact women known as Geisha's were trained to perform this art form of serving tea. It became so popular that the religious aspects became lost and society began holding tea tournaments where elaborate prizes could be won. The tea service would return to it original roots with the help of three Zen Priest beginning in the 14 century.

Tea would not be introduced to the rest of the world until 1560, although word of this delightful beverage had been carried back by caravaner's to Europe long before this time. Father Jasper de Cruz was the first European to bring first hand knowledge of this beverage to Europe. It was the Portuguese who first brought tea to the European countries. Later Holland would also begin trades with East Asia. Holland first introduced Tea to the America's. It was introduced in 1650 to the colonist of the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam (modern day New York). Tea was not introduced to England for two more years, making them the last of the major nations of the time to partake in this highly popular beverage.

England would have a huge influence over tea, resulting in several wars including the American Revolution. The infamous Boston Tea Party was the result of the taxation of tea by the English on the American Colonist. The American Colonist especially the women had favored tea as their beverage of choice. When England began putting heavy taxes on this staple the colonist began getting contraband tea from other nations to avoid the taxes. The American Revolution was begun not only over tea but the American coloniest freedom to acquire tea from where ever they wanted.

Tea today has become just as popular. Tea houses and little girl tea parties have sent the tea industry into a booming business. The consumption of tea is only second to the consumption of water. This is a profitable highly sought after product. It is still mainly grown in the Eastern part of the world. It has easily out beaten the consumption of coffee and even popular beverages such as sodas. The health benefits associated with the consumption of tea will promise to only push this delightful beverage further into the history books as a great beverage that is also great for you. join us at the Coffee Club